Biography

Cynthia Rowland is a business and tax lawyer who helps philanthropists, including private individuals as well as for-profit and non-profit organizations, who wish to make the world a better place.

As a business attorney and strategist, she helps her clients achieve personal, family, business, charitable, philanthropic, and community objectives. Cynthia’s expertise in this regard is broad, and includes entity formation, business transactions and grant agreements, regulatory compliance matters, partnerships and joint ventures, and mergers and dissolutions. In short, she’s well-attuned to the legal needs of philanthropic families, all forms of nonprofit organizations, and business enterprises with a corporate social responsibility directive.

She also advises trustees and directors of charitable organizations on fiduciary and tax issues, including those raised by actual and potential conflicts of interest, regulatory investigations and audits, debt financing of capital projects, including tax exempt bonds, as well as issues raised by settlement of complex litigation involving the fiduciaries and charitable organizations.

Cynthia has a particular expertise in the legal and tax issues of corporate philanthropy—business enterprises using philanthropy to benefit their communities, push the boundaries of emerging science and technology not yet adequately funded by private capital, and other emerging approaches the betterment of the planet and its inhabitants. Her clients seek her advice when pursuing charitable co-ventures, fundraising, formation of corporate foundations, and other types of social benefit corporations and entities.

Her approach to her practice combines depth of experience and extensive technical expertise with an openness to innovation. By integrating traditional, proven approaches with new, effective ideas and structures, Cynthia provides wise counsel to clients who are seeking to accomplish charitable objectives in a complex, ever-changing world.

Distinctions

  • Best Lawyers in America, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Tax Law (2021-2024)
  • Northern California Super Lawyers, Nonprofit Organizations (2014-2023)
  • The Legal 500 United States, Recommended - Not-for-Profit (2016-2021)
  • 2015 Annual List of Rainmakers, Minority Corporate Counsel Association
  • 2015 San Francisco Lawyer of the Year - Non-Profit/Charities Law
  • 2011 Outstanding Attorney of the Year Award, American Bar Association's Business Law Section Nonprofit Organizations Committee

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Member, Advisory Committee, Walt Disney Family Museum
  • Former Chair, Committee on Nonprofit Corporations, American Bar Association's Business Law Section (2005-2008)

Firm Highlights

Publication

Nonprofit Quick Tip: State Filings in Florida and Louisiana

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . This is the ninth in a series of “Quick Tip” episodes focusing on the details of state registration of nonprofit corporations. In previous...

Read More
Publication

Nonprofit Basics: Scholarship Grant Program IRS Approval Requirements

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . Today’s episode focuses on IRC Section 4945(g), which provides an exception for grants to individuals so that the penalty taxes for such grants...

Read More
Publication

Corporate Transparency Act: A Guide on Beneficial Ownership for Nonprofit Executives

The Corporate Transparency Act, enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, represents a significant shift in regulatory requirements for entities across the United States. This act, set to...

Read More
Publication

Charitable Planning With Guest Stephanie Hood: Navigating Complex Rules and Traps for the Unwary

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . This week, I am delighted to have Stephanie Hood return as my guest. Stephanie is my colleague at Farella Braun + Martel and...

Read More
Publication

Nonprofit Quick Tip: State Filings in Rhode Island and New Hampshire

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . This is the eighth in a series of “Quick Tip” episodes focusing on the details of state registration of nonprofit corporations. With the help...

Read More
Publication

Nonprofit Basics: Unpacking Prudent Investments, PRIs and MRIs

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . Episode 73 discusses frequently used terms in the nonprofit world pertaining to investment activities. Public charity and private foundation directors and officers need...

Read More
Publication

REFRESH Nonprofit Basics: Election Year Issues for Private Foundations and Public Charities - Legislative Lobbying and Advocacy Rules for Public Charities

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . As most listeners are undoubtedly aware, 2024 is an election year, and that means that charities and private foundations need to refresh their understanding...

Read More
Publication

REFRESH Nonprofit Basics: Election Year Issues for Private Foundations and Public Charities - Candidate Campaign Intervention

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . I’m Cynthia Rowland, and this is episode 66 of EO Radio Show . Happy New Year to all of you! As most listeners...

Read More
Publication

REFRESH Nonprofit Basics: Election Year Issues for Private Foundations and Public Charities - Private Foundation Advocacy

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . Here we are, solidly in the 2024 election year, and that means that private foundations need to refresh their understanding of election year...

Read More
Publication

Employment Law Update for Nonprofits With Holly Sutton

Welcome to  EO Radio Show - Your Nonprofit Legal Resource . Charities, foundations, and their founders often request help addressing employment practices and compliance questions. In this episode, host Cynthia Rowland is joined by Holly...

Read More